Ari and Paula’s first time: they beat Triay and Ortega and triumph in Paris
September 10, 2023The third time is the good one. After defeats in the finals in Rome and Madrid, Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria win their first title on the Premier Padel circuit: at the Greenweez Paris Major Premier Padel, the two Spaniards – the world’s No. 1 pair – left Marta Ortega and Gemma Triay no chance and became champions in Paris, lighting up the Philippe Chatrier court with a near-perfect match.
Against the world’s No. 2 pair, who had triumphed at Foro Italico by imposing themselves 7-5 in the third set, Ari and Paula started off strong right away: thanks to two break points, they twice took away their opponents’ serve, without ever relinquishing their own (not even a break ball conceded). The 6-2 final accurately reflected a one-sided first set due to the superiority of the two Spaniards. In the second game Ortega and Triay had a reaction and became more aggressive: the match became more balanced, at least until 2-2. Then Ari and Paula snapped again and 5-3 up they missed three match-points. The world’s No. 2 pair managed to stretch the match, even failing a break point at 5-4 after cancelling another match-point: in the end, however, Ari and Paula managed to close 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 29 minutes.
After two close-to-title defeats – unbelievable the one in Madrid against Delfi Brea and Bea Gonzalez, 7-6 in the third set – it was therefore time to celebrate for the two Spaniards. “A special week, we won our first Premier Padel after losing the other finals“, the words of an Ari Sanchez back at a high level, “We are at Roland Garros, a place with an incredible history and for me very special. I had doubts, some fear, little confidence: I improved, thanks mainly to Paula and all the staff, as well as my family“.
“In my personal ranking I put this title very high, it’s special to play here“, confirmed Paula Josemaria, “I always dreamed of being a professional and finding myself playing at Roland Garros, a special place: I’m happy, I got excited and cried. Now we celebrate and enjoy the moment. To those who ask me how I feel after this victory, I can only answer very happy“.